Cabinet-rotating apparatus



Sept. 22, 1959 H. DOESKEN 2,905,513

CABINET-ROTATING APPARATUS Filed April 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Uk- M 59 INVENTOR- HENRY DOESKEN Sept. 22, 1959 H. DOESKEN CABINET-ROTATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14. 1958 48 Q Ma /65 47 J64 INVENTOR. HENRY DOESKEN v 2,905,518 CABINET-ROTATING APPARATUS Henry Do'esken, Highland Park, Calif.

Application April 14, 1958, Serial No. 728,177

8 Claims. ((31.312-319) Generally speaking, the present invention relates to cabinet-rotating apparatus and, more particularly, one preferred embodiment thereof relates to rotating apparatus adapted to controllably rotate a cabinet structure which is vertically pivotally mounted with respect to a housing, between a first normally closed position with respect to the housing and a second normally open position with respect to the housing, and to do this in response to manual operation of operator means, either directly because of the physical force applied to the rotating apparatus by the operating means, or to do this electrically by electrical energization of linear motor means adapted to cause controlled rotation of the cabinet structure into either said normally open position or said normally closed position with respect to said housing.

With the above points in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel rotating apparatus for controllably rotating a vertically pivotally mounted unit between a first position and a second position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel rotating apparatus of the character set forth in the preceding object adapted to be directly manually rotated into said first or said second position and also adapted to be electromagnetically controllably rotated into either said first or said second position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel rotating apparatus for controllably rotating a cabinet structure, which is vertically pivotally mounted with respect to a housing, between a first extreme normally closed position with respect to said housing and a second extreme normally open position with respect to said housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus of the character set forth in the preceding object, which includes operator means adapted to directly physically cause rotation of the cabinet structure by leveraction abutment when operated in a first manner, and which is adapted, when operated in a second manner, to close electric circuit means to electrically energize linear electromagnetic motor means adapted to cause rotation of said cabinet structure into either said first normally closed position and/or said second normally open position, with respect to said housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus of the character set forth in any of the preceding objects, which is adapted to positively maintain the pivotally mounted unit or cabinet structure in either said first position or said second position until manually initiated controlled rotation thereof is eflected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide rotating apparatus for controllably rotating a unit or cabinet structure between a first position and a second position in response to closure of switch means in an electric circuit means connected to electromagnetic linear motor means operating the rotating apparatusand also including master switch means in said electric circuit and controllably lockably openable to prevent electrical energization of said electromagnetic linear motor means master switch means in said electric circuit which is cgn Patented Sept. 22, 1959 when desired-thus making it possible to interconnect a plurality of such rotating apparatuses associated with a plurality of such vertically pivotally mounted units or cabinet structures, all of which can be controllably electrically locked in either open or closed position from one master switch location when desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide rotating apparatus of the character defined in any of the preceding objects, which is of exceedingly simple, cheap, and foolproof construction, such as to lead to widespread use of the apparatus for rotatably mounted. kitchen cabinets, bars, wardrobes, and the like.

Other and allied objects will be apparent to those: skilled in the art after a careful study of the accompany-- ing illustrations, the present specification, and the append 'ed claims.

To facilitate understanding, reference will be made to the hereinbelow-described drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a reduced-size front perspective view of oneillustrative embodiment of the present invention in association with a cabinet structure which is vertically pivotally mounted with respect to a housing in a first normally closed position with respect thereto;

Fig. 2 is a larger scale bottom view of Fig. 1 with a bottom cover removed in order to clearly show the cooperation of the rotating apparatus with the vertically pivotally mounted cabinet structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of aspect similar to Fig. 1, but shows the vertically pivotally mounted cabinet structure in a second extreme normally open position with respect to the housing;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view with the bottom cover removed generally similar to a portion of Fig. 2 but shows the rotating apparatus and the vertically pivotally mounted cabinet structure in intermediate position midway between the first normally closed position shown in Fig. l and the second normally open position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is another fragmentary bottom plan view with the cover removed generally similar to Figs. 2 and 4 but shows the rotating apparatus and the vertically pivotally mounted cabinet structure in fully open position such as is shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken. in the direction of the arrows VIVI in Fig. 2 and illus-- trates the vertical pivotal mounting of the cabinet struc-- ture and the connection of one of the actuating members: to said cabinet structure at a pivotal mounting location. radially displaced from the pivotal mounting of the cab inet structure itself with respect to the housing;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating reverse operation of the operator means to close electric switch means for energizing the electromagnetic linear motor means to cause rotation of the cabinet structure into either open or closed position without the direct application of manually applied force thereto to cause such rotation;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the rotating apparatus in an intermediate position similar to Fig. 4 but with the electromagnetic linear motor means in operating position;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of aspect similar to Fig. l which shows a slightly modified form of the invention which merely includes a pushbutton electrical switch for electrically causing energization of the electromagnetic linear motor means to cause rotation of the cabinet structure into either open or closed position; with no directaction manual lever being provided in this modification of the invention; and

Fig. 10 shows an electrical schematic circuit suitable for cooperation with two or more cabinet structures and housings of the type shown in Fig. 9 and which includes Generally speaking, the present invention comprises apparatus for controllably rotating a vertically pivotally mounted unit between a first position and a secondposition. In the specific example illustrated, the vertically pivotally mounted unit takes the form of a rotary cabinet structure indicated generally at l which is vertically pivotally mounted by pivot means indicated generally at 2 with respect to a housing indicated generally at 3. It should be noted that the housing 3, in the specific example illustrated, takes the form' of a substantially rectangular box having vertically spaced substantially parallel top and bottom walls 4 and 5, horizontally spaced side Walls 6 and 7, a rear wall 8, and a front wall 9 which is provided with a large rectangular opening 18 thereinto.

In the specific example illustrated, the rotary cabinet structure indicated generally at 1 comprises a vertical wall member 11, a top wall portion 12., and a bottom wall portion 13 which extends arcuately forwardly when open as seen in Fig. 3 to provide a convexly protruding shelf. A similar convexly protruding shelf 14 is also carried by the rotating cabinet structure '1' in a position vertically spaced above the lowermost shelf and bottom wall member 13. The rotating cabinet structure 7. is also provided with spaced sidewall portions 135 and 16 which, when the rotating cabinet structure is in the open position shown in Fig. 3, extend forwardly to lie flush with the front wall 9 of the housing 3 while each of the convex portions of the shelves l3 and 14- project forwardly beyond the front wall 9 of the housing 3, thereby providing a very effective storage unit, as can readily be seen from an examination of Fig. 3. It will be understood that when the cabinet structure 1 is rotated into the closed position shown in Fig. 1, the vertical wall 11 cffectively seals the opening into the front wall 90f the housing 3 and the convex shelves l3 and 14 project inwardly into the interior of the housing 3 as is clearly evident in Fig. 6.

In the specific example illustrated, as best seen in Fig. 6, the vertical pivotal mounting of the cabinet structure 1 at the top and bottom thereof, with respect to the housing 3 is indicated generally at 2. In the case of the upper pivotal mounting 2, a pin 17 extends downwardly into a hole 18 in the top wall 12; of the rotary cabinet structure 1 and has a small shoulder 19 positioned im mediately above said top wall 12.. The upper end of the pin 17 extends into the inner rotary portion 2% of a bearing indicated generally at 21 and which has an outer fixed bearing portion 20A engaged by a bracket 22 fastened by suitable fastening means 23 to the top wall 4 of the housing 3. It should be noted that ball bearings 24- are positioned between the inner portion 20 and the outer portion 20A of the bearing 21 whereby to position the. top wall 12 of the rotary cabinet structure 1 in the location shown in Fig. 3 for easy rotation with a minimum of friction. The lower pivotal mounting 2 shown in Fig. 6 includes an upwardly directed pin 25 extending into a hole 26 in the bottom wall 13 of the rotary cabinet structure 1. The pin 25 has an enlarged shoulder 27 which lies immediately below the wall 13 and effectively supports same. The lower end of the pin 25 extends into the rotary inner portion 28 of a bearing said third pivotal mounting location indicated at 42 when indicated generally at 29 and which has an outer bearing ing portion 28 and the outer bearing portion 28A of the bearing indicated generally at 29 in a manner such that bearing 23 (and also the upper bearing 21) effectively rotatively support the entire rotary cabinet structure 1 for rotation about a vertical axis extending through the pins 17 and 25 in a manner characterized by a minimum of friction.

Also generally speaking, the present invention includes a first actuating member vertically pivotally mounted at a fixed first pivotal mounting location spaced from the vertical pivotal mounting of a unit which'is to be con trollably rotated. In the specific example illustrated, said first actuating member is indicated at 35 and comprises a flat planar member pivotally mounted at 36 on a verti cal pivot pin carried by a frame portion 37 adjacent the bottom of the housing 3 for pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane. It should be noted that the first pivotal mounting location 36 is fixed and is horizontally spaced from the vertical axis of rotation of therotating cabinet structure 1 which passes through the pivot pins 17 and 25. In the specific example illustrated,

said actuating member 35 has an arcuately movable free end 38 horizontally spaced from said first pivotal mount-;

ing location 36. e p

Also generally speaking, the present invention includes a second actuating member vertically pivotally carried by the arcuately movable portion of the first actuating member at a second vertical pivotal mounting location and having an extended portion adapted to be vertically pivotally connected to the controllably located unit or cabinet structure at a third pivotal mounting location.

radially displaced from the pivotal mounting of said unit or cabinet structure. trated, said second actuating member is indicated gen: erally at 39 and is pivotally carried by suitable pivot pin means 40 at a second vertical pivotal mounting location. Also in the specific example illustrated, said extended portion is indicated at 41 and is vertically pivotally connected by threaded fastener means 42 to the bottom wall 13 of the rotating cabinet structure 1, as is clearly evident in Fig. 6-said pivotal connection at 42 comprising a third pivotal mounting location radially displaced from the pivotal mounting of the rotating cabinet structure 1 on the vertical axis extending through the pins 17 and 25.

Also generally speaking, the present invention includes stop means limiting pivotal rotation of the second actuating member with respect to the first actuating member in a first relative sense to an extreme relationship with said second pivotal mounting location transversely dis- In the specific example illustrated, said stop means comprises bolt and nut means 43 carried by the first actuating member 35 in a position such that the second pivotal mounting location indicated at 46 is transversely displaced from an imaginary straight line extending between said first pivotal mounting location indicated at 36 to Also generally speaking, the present invention includes means normally maintaining said first and second actuat ing members in said extreme relationship. In the speci-- fic example illustrated, this takes the form of tension spring means 44 connected between a projecting portion 45 of the second actuating member 39 and a portion of the first actuating member 35 and normally acting to' j maintain the actuating members-insaid extreme relatiom In the specific example illus-- genesis ship shownin Fig. 2 or said extreme relationship shown in Fig. 5 until actuation of the apparatus. I

Also generally speaking, the present invention includes operator means cooperable with respect to said actuating members for causing relative pivotal rotation of said first and second actuating members in a second relative sense opposite to the first relative sense referred to hereinabove in a manner shortening the distance between said first and third pivotal mounting locations thereby effectively rotating said unit or cabinet structure between two extreme positions, such as closed position and open position: In the specific example illustrated in Figs. 1-7 said operator means is indicated generally at 46 "and includes a lever 46A pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 36 and having a handle portion 47 and a portion 48 adapted to abut the end 49 of the first actuating member 35 when the lever 46A is moved from the normal rear position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 into the forward position shown in Fig. 4, which causes the first and second actuating members 35 and 39 respectively to move into the relative position shown in Fig. 4 wherein they have pivoted around the second pivotal mounting location 40 in a second relative sense opposite to said first relative sense in a manner shortening the distance between said first pivotal mounting location 36 and said third pivotal mounting location '42 thereby effectively rotating the cabinet structure 1 from its initial closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 into the intermediate half-way-open position shown in Fig. 4, with said third pivotal mounting location 42 about to cross an imaginary line connecting said first pivotal mounting location 36 and the pivotal mounting of the entire rotating cabinet structure 1 on the vertical axis extending through the pivot pins 25 and 17; which crossing will be efiected by the momentum and inertia of the rotating cabinet structure 1, which will cause it to continue to rotate from the position shown in Fig. 4 onward into the fully open position shown in Fig. 5, at which point the first and second actuating members 35 and 39 resume their extended relationship, with said second actuating member 39 abutting the stop means 43 and with said second pivotal mounting location 40 laterally displaced from a straight line extending from said first pivotal mounting location 36 to said third pivotal mounting location 42 thereby locking the entire rotating mechanism and the cabinet structure 1 in the fully open position shown in fragmentary form in Fig. 5 and illustrated in perspective in Fig. 3.

It should be understood that another manual actuation of the operating lever 46A in a manner similar to that just described, will cause the reverse rotation of the cabinet structure 1 from the fully open position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 through the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4 into the fully closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Also generally speaking, the operator means referred to hereinbefore may include electrically energizable linear motor means effectively connected between the first and second actuating members along a line of action displaced from said second pivotal mounting location and cooperable, upon energization, to forcibly rotate said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in said second relative sense. In the specific example illustrated, said electrically energizable linear motor means takes the form of a solenoid indicated generally at 50 having a coil housing portion 51 provided with two terminals 52 and 53 and reciprocatably carrying an armature 54 which is connected by a tension spring 55 to a projecting portion 56 of the second actuating member 39 at a location displaced from the second pivotal mounting location 40. It should be noted that the solenoid coil housing portion 51 is mounted by suitable fastening means 51A on the first actuating member 35. Furthermore, it should be noted that the tension of spring 55, when the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 2, is less than the tension of the spring 44. However, upon energization of the solenoid 50 by the applica tion of electrical energy to the terminals 52 and 53, the armature 54 is forcibly moved from the position s wn in Fig. 2 toward the position shown in. Fig. 8 withinthe solenoid coil housing portion 51, thus applying suflithe entire apparatus will also be accomplished upon the application of electrical energy to the terminals 52 and 53 when the apparatus is in the fully open position shown in Fig. 5. This will operate in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore in connection with reverse manual rotation of the apparatus.

In the form of the invention referred to above including electrically energizable linear motor means, switch means may be provided in circuit with the electrically energizable linear motor means and positioned in the reverse path of travel of the lever means for controllable closure of said switch means by said lever means for controllable energization of said linear motor means. In

the specific example illustrated in Figs. 1-7, said switch means takes the form of a microswitch 57 having a pushbutton 58 positioned in the reverse path of travel of the actuating portion 48 of the lever 46A when it is moved in a rearward direction into the extreme position shown in Fig. 7. This will cause electrical energy from a source (not shown) to flow through the leads 59 and 60 of an electric circuit, through the switch 57 in circuit therewith to the terminals 52 and 53 connected to the solenoid coil within the solenoid coil housing portion 51 whereby to energize same and draw the armature 54 momentarily thereinto until release of the lever 46A and disengagement thereof from the pushbutton 58 of the switch 57. In other words, the rotating cabinet structure 1 may be manually rotated from the position shown in Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 3, or vice versa, or may be electromagnetically so rotated.

It should be noted that the bottom 5 is shown removed in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 for clarity. However, it should be understood that it is normally fastened to the bottom of the housing 3 below the rotating mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 so as to effectively enclose and protect same.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a slight modification of the present invention, and similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals, primed however. In this modification, there is no lever corresponding to the lever 46A in the first form of the present invention. Instead there is a pushbutto-n switch 57 shown in Fig. 9 which replaces the lever 46A and the microswitch 57 in the first form of the invention and which is adapted to be pushed to energize the solenoid coil of the electrically energizable electromagnetic motor means, which is not shown, since it fully corresponds to that shown in the first form of the present invention, as does the remainder of the structure of this modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9. However, it will be noted that the modification in Fig. 9 cannot be manually rotated but can only be electrically rotated. Therefore, a number of units of the type shown in Fig. 9 can all be electrically connected to a common electric circuit such as is indicated at 61 and 62 in Fig. 10. It should be noted that the common electric circuit, including leads 61 and 62, is provided with terminals at 63 and 64 which diagrammatically indicate the connection of the circuit to a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown).

It should also be noted that 59' and 60 indicate the leads connected to the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 and that 59A and 60A indicate similar leads connectable to another unit similar to that shown in Fig. 9, and that the leads 59B and 6013 indicate the extension of the two leads Gland 62 for similar connection to any desired number of u nits of the type indicated in Fig. 9 whereby they may all be energized from the circuit including leads 61 and 62. It should also be noted that the electric circuit means including the leads 61 and 62 include master switch means indicated generally at 65 controllably openable to efiectively prevent electrical energization of any of the linear motor means associated with any of a plurality of cabinet units such as that shown in Fig. 9'

energized from any pairs of leads such as those indicated at 59'60, 59A-60A, etc. The master switch means 65 may be of a controllably lockable type, such as being in a locked housing, or including locking means associated with the switch elements themselves, whereby to be controllably lockable in the open position shown" in Fig. 10 so as to efiectively prevent electrical energization of any of said linear motor means until the master switch means 65 is unlocked and closed. This arrangement makes it possible for a group of cabinets or the type shown in Fig. 9, penhaps installed in a house or the like, to all be locked upon departure of the tenant of the house by merely locking the master switch 65 in open position. It will then be impossible for anybody to open any of the cabinets.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such, properly within the basic spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated, and claimed herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein are exemplary only, and are. not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controllably rotating a vertically pivotally mounted unit between a first position and a second position, comprising: a first actuating member vertically pivotally mounted at a fixed first pivotal mounting location spaced from the vertical pivotal mounting of a unit which is to be controllably rotated, said first actuating member having an arcuately movable portion spaced from said first pivotal mounting location; a second actuating member vertically pivotally carried by said arcuately movable portion of said first actuating member at a second vertical pivotal mounting location and having an extended portion adapted to be vertically pivotally connected to said controllably rotatable unit at a third pivotal mounting location radially displaced from said pivotal mounting of said unit; stop means limiting pivotal rotation of said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in a first relative sense to an extreme relationship with said second pivotal mounting location transversely displaced from an imaginary straight line extending between said first and third pivotal mounting loca? tions; and operator means forcibly cooperable with one of said actuating members for relatively pivotally rot-ating said first and second actuating members in a second relative sense opposite to said first relative sense in a manner shortening the distance between said first and third pivotal mounting locations thereby effectively rm tating said unit between two extreme positions.

2. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1 including means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship; and wherein said operator means includes a pivotally mounted lever forcibly abutting said first actuating member at a location displaced from said first pivotal mounting loca-- tion.

3. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1 including spring means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship; and wherein said operator meansincludes electrically energizable linear motor means effectively connected'be' tween said first and second actuating-members along a lineof action displaced from said second pivotal mount-f ing location and cooperable upon energization to forcibly rotate said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in said second relative sense; and switch means in circuit with said motor means and positioned for controllable manual closure for controllable energization of said motor means.

4. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1 including spring means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship;

and wherein said operator means includes a pivotally mounted lever forcibly abutting said first actuating memher at a location displaced from said first pivotal mounting location and said operator means includes electrically energizable linear motor means effectively connected between said first and second actuating members along a line of action displaced from said second pivotal mounting location and cooperable upon energization to forcibly rotate said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in said second relative sense; and switch means in circuit with said motor means and positioned in the reverse path of travel of said lever for controllable closure of said switch means by said lever for controllable energization of said motor means.

5. Rotating apparatus for controllably rotating a cabinet structure vertically pivotally mounted with respect to a housing between a first normally closed position with respect to said housing and a second extreme normally open position with respect to said housing, comprising:

a first actuating member vertically pivotally mounted for pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane at a fixed first pivotal mounting location horizontally spaced from the effective vertical axis of rotation of a cabinet structure which is to be controllably rotated with respect to an at least partially encompassing housing, said first actuating member having an arcuately movable free end horizontally spaced from said first vertical pivotal mounting location; a second actuating member vertically pivotally carried by said arcuately movable end of said first with said second pivotal mounting location transversely displaced from an imaginary straight line extending between said first and third pivotal mounting locations, said stop means being carried by one of said actuating members and abutting the other of said actuating members when they are in said extreme relationship; and operator means forcibly cooperable with one of said actuating members for relatively pivotally rotating said first and second actuating members in a second relative sense opposite to said first relative sense in a manner shortening the distance between said first and third pivotal mounting locations thereby effectively rotating said cabinet structure between closed and open positions with respect to a housing.

6. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 5 including spring means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship; and wherein said operator means includes a pivotally mounted lever forcibly abutting said first actuating member at a location displaced from said first pivotal mounting location.

7. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 5 including spring means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship; and wherein said operator means includes a pivotally mounted lever forcibly abutting said first actuating mem her at a location displaced from said first pivotal mounting location and said operator means includes electrically energizable linear motor means effectively connected between said first and second actuating members along a line of action displaced from said second pivotal mounting location and cooperable upon energization to forcibly rotate said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in said second relative sense; and switch means in circuit with said motor means and positioned in the reverse path of travel of said lever for controllable closure of said switch means by said lever for controllable energization of said motor means.

8. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 5 including spring means normally maintaining said first and second actuating members in said extreme relationship; and wherein said operator means includes electrically energizable linear motor means efi'ectively connected between said first and second actuating members along a line of action displaced from said second pivotal mounting location and cooperable upon energization to forcibly rotate said second actuating member with respect to said first actuating member in said second relative sense; and switch means in circuit with said motor means and positioned for controllable manual closure for controllable energization of said motor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,893 Wallen Mar. 7, 1950 2,519,480 Kressbach Aug. 22, 1950 2,525,739 Tracy Oct. 10, 1950 2,728,625 Blahm'k Dec. 27, 1955 

